Italy is a bucket list destination for many; it certainly was for me. I started my 3-week Italian summer vacation exploring Bologna, an underrated gem in Italy and then visited places I had only dreamed about.
Preparation
My travel to Italy did not require a visa since it did not exceed 90 days (the need for a visa depends on your passport), so I just booked my flight and was off. It has since been announced that in 2024 future travel to 30 European countries will require citizens from visa-exempt countries to have an ETIAS travel authorization.
I signed up for an eSIM with Airalo, to stay connected while I traveled throughout Italy; and completed the set up before I left. Once I landed in Italy and switched the eSIM on, I was connected. I opted for the 20 GB plan, but I only used about half of my data during my three weeks. You can read how to set up your eSIM here.
21 Day Itinerary
I really enjoy making my itineraries, so whenever I am planning a trip, whether solo or not, I like to plan out what I will be doing to maximize my time.
For this trip, I tried to pack light (for me) since I knew I’d be taking the train, and I didn’t want to be bogged down by a lot of luggage. So I just had my medium size suitcase and carry-on backpack with me for this voyage.
Below is an overview of my 21-day itinerary. While I could have changed the order of some places, logistically, this worked for the experience I wanted.
Bologna
The capital of the Emilia-Romagna region is not the first place that comes to my mind when I think of Italy, which is unfortunate because it is such a beautiful place but very underrated. But as fate would have it, I needed to attend an event in Bologna, which gave me the perfect starting point for my Italian vacation.
Bologna is a city rich in history. It is home to the oldest university in the world, the University of Bologna, and has the honor of being affectionally known as the food capital of Italy, which is saying a lot in a country known for its amazing food.
The city also boasts an impressive number of porticos. These arches can be found on most buildings and were reportedly previously used to provide extra living spaces but are now beautiful architectural pieces that add to the city’s charm with the bonus of providing protection from the rain and sun. I can vehemently attest to the latter.
Where to Stay in Bologna
While in Bologna, I stayed at the Aemilia Hotel. The Aemilia Hotel was just a short walk from the University of Bologna. Since this leg of my trip was primarily for work with some relaxation mixed in, I wanted to be close to the university.
Bologna offers plenty of options for you to stay, depending on your needs.
Getting Around
Ubers/Taxis
I caught an Uber from the airport to my hotel. While it wasn’t the cheapest option, it was convenient for me after a long day of traveling and not feeling ready to practice the little bit of Italian I learned after a few weeks of Duolingo.
When it was finally time for me to depart, the receptionist called me a taxi to the train station. The taxis are much cheaper than taking Uber.
Walking
I enjoy walking when the weather and terrain permit, so I chose to walk around Bologna with the help of Google Maps. Walking allowed me the freedom to explore the city, window shop, and find interesting places to stop. I found Bologna to be a walkable city. I could get to most places in around 20 minutes, depending on where I was going.
Things to do in Bologna
City Tour
I took a city tour to learn more about some of the city’s historic and famous highlights. I also got to learn the 7 secrets of Bologna, but I’ll leave that for you to learn on your own. Below are some of the places we visited during the tour.
Jewish Ghetto
The Jewish ghetto is a series of alleyways that once housed the Jewish community of Bologna, who were forced to live in the confined area by the pope between 1556 and 1593 when they were forced from the area for the final time.
Two Towers
The two towers, Asinelli and Garisenda, are also leaning towers. They are named after the families responsible for their construction. The Asinelli tower, is the taller of the two and is open to the public. You can pay 5 euros and climb the almost 500 steps to get a view of the city. I chose not the climb the tower.
Piazza Maggiore
The main square in Bologna always seemed to be bustling with activity. It is also home to San Petronio church which is unfinished to this day despite being started in 1390.
Neptune Fountain
This grand fountain representing the god of water is built from marble and bronze. The square is located next to Piazza Maggiore, and depending on where you stand, you can see San Petronio when looking at the fountain.
Look through the Secret Window of Via Piella
The finestrella of via Peilla is easy to miss if you do not know it’s there, but it’s something you do not want to miss because behind that small window is a view of the hidden canal.
Food Tour
A food tour is one of my favorite things to do when I travel, so when visiting the food capital of Italy, a food tour was a must.
The first stop was Impero Bar Pasticceria for breakfast, where I had my first taste of a pistachio croissant and cappuccino. This croissant prompted a mini pistachio obsession throughout my travels in Italy.
Next up was a shop to taste balsamic vinegars from Modena.
Next, we picked up some local meats, cheeses, and bread and went to a shop to eat lunch. Bologna has shops that only sell beverages, and you bring your own food. We paired our lunch with a local wine.
For dinner, we went to an osteria and tried the tortellini bolognesi and tagliatelle al ragu bolognese, accompanied by white wine.
No food tour would be complete without dessert, so we finished the tour with some gelato—my first of many.
Sip on an Aperitivo
An aperitivo is a pre-meal drink. I am a fan of this cultural tradition. And during my time in Bologna (or all the places I visited in Italy), I enjoyed my fair share of aperitivos, especially the Aperol Spritz. I never had one until I got to Italy, and I sure made up for that.
Eat some More
There are so many different restaurants to try out in Bologna.
I picked up a delicious sandwich featuring Bologna at Mo! Mortadella Lab. I was warned this was a popular place, and when I arrived, there was a queue to order, but fortunately, the line moved quickly.
The sandwich was big enough for two people.
During the city tour, the guide recommended Osteria delle Moline, so I went there for dinner one evening and had lasagna along with Aperol spritz.
Another day I visited Sfoglia Rina for some tagliatelle with ragu dinner and a blueberry coconut and apricot tart for dessert.
Farewell
After four days in Bologna, next up was Venice. I enjoyed my time in Bologna and would encourage anyone who is considering traveling to Italy to add it to your list.
While Florence is closer to Bologna, I chose to visit Venice first since my travel partner, who would join me later in the trip, wanted to go to Florence.